Naples linebacker Jake Berman commits to UCF

Naples Barron Collier High linebacker Jake Berman committed to UCF during an unofficial visit Saturday, making him the eighth member of the Knights’ 2013 recruiting class.

“It felt awesome,” Berman said. “I was shaking. It felt good, it was the best decision of my life.”

Berman (6-1, 220) began his afternoon trip to UCF without a scholarship offer from the Knights, or from any school for that matter. After viewing the campus and talking to Knights’ defensive coaches, he was offered a UCF scholarship.

“I asked them if they were offering and they offered me right after that,” Berman said. “Then I committed.”

UCF’s defensive coaching staff, led by defensive back coach Kirk Callahan, began actively recruiting Berman in May. His connection with Callahan and defensive coordinator Jim Fleming is what actually provoked Berman to commit to UCF on the spot.

“It was great facilities and everything, and I just clicked,” Berman said. “The whole defensive staff, they showed me a lot of love. I had a meeting with the whole staff. They said a lot of good things and it felt right.”

An old-school linebacker known for his physicality, Berman recorded 92 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and six sacks as a junior.

“Coach Fleming, [defensive line coach Blaise] Coach Winter, all the defensive coaches, they said they like me being physical, using my hands and how I play linebacker mean, dirty and want to hit people,” said Berman, who has also been receiving interest from Minnesota, FAU, FIU, Miami, Western Kentucky, USF and Syracuse.

Berman is the second Naples-area linebacker that UCF has landed during the past two years. Naples Golden Gate linebacker Stanley Sylverain signed with UCF as a member of the 2012 recruiting class.

“Me and Stanley are pretty good friends, actually,” Berman said. “We’ve known each other for a while. I’ve been to camp with him. He played football right down the street from me. I know Stanley, so it’s going to be good to keep playing with him.”